I’m in the living room, feet planted on the carpet. My Sega Genesis is outstretched before me like an old friend. The screen blinks as I insert another cartridge into the slot. This time it’s the new level from Sonic the Hedgehog. Mama says I shouldn’t play too long because she has to do important grown-up things. But this is special, and I need to see if Sonic can run faster now.

I press start, and there he is—Sonic zooming across a big green field. He jumps higher than before, almost like he’s flying! There are new rings scattered around; maybe if I count them all, Mama will let me play longer. I keep pressing the right button to make Sonic go faster. It feels like I’m running with him. Maybe next time she’ll see how much fun it is.